Probably the 2nd best of the Radio City shows and in the top 5 from the 25-show series. Pro-shot on vid like the following night.

First Set. Like the electric versions in '76, Dark Hollow is excellent on any given night of the series. Brent whips off an electric piano solo & Jer's solo is astonishing for acoustic. On the Road Again is quintessential. When this version came out on Reckoning they promoted it with a performance on Snyder's Tomorrow Show (7May81). I then bought the record as this was the first song to perk my ears about the acoustic Dead (there was nothing else on TV in that time slot at the time!). The "turn off the lights" chant is funny - in this setting the band interacted easily (house lights were on for the film crew). The patter also adds to the also-quintessential To Lay Me Down. Phil sneaks-in on the end part of Heaven Help. Of the 17 times it was played at the shows, this may be the best. Ripple was played each night but this seems to be the only one where Jer adds these fills.

Second Set. This is average fare until the extra-something (listen to Jer's take on the solo) is put into Mexicali. Loser is also redeemed by a spiral stairs solo. The rest is really good, starting with Minglewood (T for New York City), and check Billy during Althea. As others have pointed out, the last pair are great. Lost Sailor is not the punchiest, but rather than histrionic it's smooth and well-tempered. This and Saint are almost as good as 5/16.

Third Set. There were only two examples of Shakedown at these shows and this one is slightly better. However, this is the best Samson of the ten played. It used to show up as B & P filler. Jer offers "steam locomotion" during He's Gone. Maybe he was thinking of Little Eva. It's almost a bathroom-break until the drummers kick in and Jer starts doing runs up and down for a free jazz section. Bobby waits and then cues everyone for Truckin'. It's tight enough, but typical of the other six from the series. Billy Cobham (Mahavishnu Orchestra) then joins in (he had joined Bobby's band that summer). Unfortunately Drums wasn't well-shot, because the visual is the better part. It's on the Showtime footage, but the version on the Dead Ahead DVD/CD fades after a minute. The three stay out for Space, setting up for The Other One and staring at Phil, waiting for the rumble. It's a whirlwind version from the start and the rest is equally strong.

1st Set:   A+
2nd Set: B-
3rd Set:  B
Overall = 4½ stars

Highlights:
The whole first set is quintessential acoustic Dead
Lost Sailor>Saint of Circumstance - smooth and well-tempered
Samson & Delilah - perfect
The Other One - strong, whirlwind

SOURCES: The wise_miller_101427 is a Miller-mastered Jim Wise F-O-B AUD, and the best available source by far (though the balance is off, 1st set). The Showtime special (self-plagiarized "Live Dead!") used to circulate (maybe still does) with six of the songs from this night (On the Road; Samson; Truckin'>The Other One). It also has stuff from both the previous and following nights, five of which are also on Dead Ahead. That video has two from this night on the VHS (On the Road; To Lay Me Down) and 5 more on the DVD (Heaven; and Shakedown>first minute of Drums). The inexplicably short Dead Ahead CD also has those five. On the Road is on Reckoning (the only song on both the album and vid). The show is usually up on YouTube, with the sound mixed down (slight cut in Drums>Space).

10/23 third set, 10/26 second set and 10/30 first set worked for me.

entire 2nd set

Not great, show and very audience- heavy recording.

Everything about this night is good: Jim Wise's excellent audience recording, the song selection, and the energy level are all well, well above an average night. For me, though, the part that put is completely into the Otherworldly category is Drums > Space > the Other One. Billy Cobham does indeed join the drummers in the center of The Beast for this night, and the results are... well, honestly, the English language falls short in its ability to describe how good this is. It's my favorite Other One ever.

There is video of the Truckin > Drums > Space > Other One sequence from this night that was part of a Showtime special called "An Evening With The Grateful Dead." I have a copy of it on a very worn-out VHS tape. Why it wasn't released as part of the Dead Ahead DVD release's bonus footage, I have no idea. Somebody out there must have a better copy of it than me. It is exquisite to behold.... Jerry is smiling, happy, and so into The Other One that he's walking in place in rhythm to the music. To see him so animated and into it is very special.

Somebody release the video footage! Until then, get this audience recording and check out The Other One. This show flat-out rocks, people.

I was at this show crazy week. Went to 4 of the 8 shows. Can't get into the next/last night.

Billy Cobham also plays on The Other One. I saw it first hand. Loved this run. The 1st set is great.

How can I download this to itunes?

I am surprised to see so few downloads of this show and NO reviews?!?!

This IS MY FAVORITE DEAD SHOW! It has a great setlist, beautiful sound, some acoustic, some electric, some space, and an all around awesome recording.

The Lost Sailor> St. of Circumstance is the best recording I have. Althea, Alabama Getaway, Promised Land, Shakedown, Other One, Wharf Rat...awesome show.

I highly recommend this show!